Pema Khandu calls Northeast states to unite against child trafficking, online abuse
Synopsis
For the first time, all Northeast State Commissions for Protection of Child Rights convened on a single platform — and Arunachal CM Pema Khandu used the moment to demand a coordinated regional shield against child trafficking, online abuse, and cross-border exploitation. With over 1.8 lakh beneficiaries under Poshan 2.0 and 2,500-plus children under Mission Vatsalya, Arunachal is putting numbers behind its rhetoric — but the harder test is whether seven states can act as one.
Key Takeaways
Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu called for unified Northeast action on child trafficking, online exploitation, and substance abuse at the North East SCPCR Convention 2026 in Tawang on 31 July 2026 .
This is the first time all State Commissions for Protection of Child Rights from the Northeast have met on a single dedicated platform.
Over 15,500 girls have benefited under the Dulari Kanya Scheme , with a state investment of more than ₹38 crore .
More than 1.8 lakh women and children are covered under Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 ; 2,479 children receive ₹4,000 monthly under Mission Vatsalya schemes.
The two-day convention is chaired by WCD Minister Dasanglu Pul ; the Arunachal Pradesh SCPCR under Chairperson Ratan Anya organised the event.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Friday, 31 July 2026, called for a unified regional strategy among all Northeastern states to combat escalating threats to children — including trafficking, online exploitation, substance abuse, child marriage, and cross-border vulnerabilities. Speaking at Tawang, Khandu stressed that protecting children demands a collective and sustained commitment from every state in the region.
A Historic First for Northeast Child Rights
Khandu addressed the inaugural session of the North East State Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Convention 2026 at Tawang — described as a landmark gathering, being the first time all State Commissions for Protection of Child Rights from the Northeast have convened on a single platform dedicated exclusively to child rights. Welcoming Chairpersons, Members, Member Secretaries, national institution representatives, senior officials, development partners, and civil society organisations, Khandu called Tawang — 'a land synonymous with peace, compassion and harmony' — a fitting venue for such deliberations.
Child Welfare as the Benchmark of Governance
Emphasising that child welfare is the true measure of good governance, Khandu argued that a government's success cannot be judged by economic growth or infrastructure alone, but by how effectively it protects its most vulnerable citizens. He reiterated that every child deserves a safe environment free from violence, exploitation, abuse, and discrimination, with access to education, healthcare, nutrition, and equal opportunities.
Arunachal's Child Welfare Initiatives: Key Numbers
Khandu outlined a series of state-led initiatives, particularly focused on the girl child. Under the Dulari Kanya Scheme, more than 15,500 girls have received financial assistance for higher education, with a state investment of over ₹38 crore. Over 134 awareness programmes have been conducted under the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao initiative, and ₹3.3 crore has been earmarked under the Girls Health and Hygiene Scheme in 2026-27 to provide sanitary napkins to more than 25,000 beneficiaries.
On maternal and child health, more than 38,000 beneficiaries have received support under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, while over 34,000 beneficiaries are being assisted through nutrition-related interventions. Under Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, more than 1.8 lakh women and children are covered, with 152 Anganwadi Centres already upgraded and another 125 being developed under the Adopt an Anganwadi initiative.
Under Mission Vatsalya, more than 2,500 vulnerable children are receiving sponsorship support, while 2,479 children benefit from monthly assistance of ₹4,000 under sponsorship, foster care, and aftercare schemes. The 24x7 Child Helpline 1098, One Stop Centres in all 25 districts, and Women Helpline 181 are functioning as critical support mechanisms.
Why Inter-State Coordination is Non-Negotiable
Highlighting the unique geographical and social realities of the Northeast, Khandu said threats such as trafficking, online exploitation, and substance abuse routinely transcend state boundaries, making inter-state coordination not optional but essential. He expressed hope that the Convention would enable greater exchange of best practices, stronger enforcement of child protection laws, improved coordination on missing and trafficked children cases, and more effective responses to emerging online threats.
Urging participants to move beyond speeches and translate deliberations into tangible outcomes, Khandu said the Convention's true success would be measured by meaningful improvements in children's lives across the region. The two-day convention is being chaired by Women and Child Development Minister Dasanglu Pul. The inaugural ceremony was attended by Advisor Home Mutchu Mithi, Advisor Women and Child Development Tsering Lhamu, and Tawang MLA Namgey Tsering, among others. A North East SCPCR Convention Souvenir was released by the Chief Minister and attending dignitaries to mark the occasion. The Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, chaired by Ratan Anya, organised the convention.
Point of View
Not merely administrative — porous borders, insurgency-affected districts, and limited digital literacy create layered vulnerabilities that no single state can address in isolation. Khandu's call for inter-state coordination is overdue, but conventions have been called before without binding follow-through mechanisms. The real question is whether this platform produces a shared data protocol for missing and trafficked children or remains a statement of intent. Arunachal's own numbers — 2,479 children on ₹4,000 monthly support, 25 One Stop Centres — are credible signals of intent, but the Northeast's trafficking networks operate faster than bureaucratic coordination cycles.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the North East SCPCR Convention 2026?
It is the first-ever joint convention of all State Commissions for Protection of Child Rights from the Northeastern states, held in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, on 31 July 2026. The two-day event is focused exclusively on child rights protection and is chaired by Arunachal Pradesh WCD Minister Dasanglu Pul.
Why is Pema Khandu calling for inter-state coordination on child safety?
Khandu argued that threats like child trafficking, online exploitation, and substance abuse routinely cross state boundaries in the Northeast, making any single-state response insufficient. He stressed that coordinated action, shared best practices, and joint tracking of missing and trafficked children are essential to effective child protection in the region.
What child welfare schemes has Arunachal Pradesh implemented?
Key schemes include the Dulari Kanya Scheme (over 15,500 girl beneficiaries, ₹38 crore invested), Mission Vatsalya (2,500-plus vulnerable children on sponsorship support), Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 (covering 1.8 lakh women and children), and the Girls Health and Hygiene Scheme (₹3.3 crore earmarked for 2026-27 to reach 25,000-plus beneficiaries).
Who attended the inaugural session of the convention?
The inaugural session was attended by Advisor Home Mutchu Mithi, Advisor WCD Tsering Lhamu, Tawang MLA Namgey Tsering, Chairpersons and Members of Northeast State Commissions, national institution representatives, senior officials, development partners, and civil society organisations.
What outcomes is the convention expected to produce?
Khandu expressed hope that the convention would yield greater exchange of best practices, stronger enforcement of child protection laws, improved inter-state coordination on missing and trafficked children, and more effective responses to online threats. He urged participants to convert deliberations into tangible improvements in children's lives across the Northeast.
